Pest Control for Rats and Mice

---

Any serious attempt to control rodents in homes must, of necessity, begin with a thorough inspection of the premises. Signs of activity during the day must be interpreted to yield as much information as possible about the type or types of rodents present, the extent of their activity, their routes of travel and the approximate size of their population, and any other information that will aid in the determination of appropriate and effective control procedures. The following signs of activity can be of significant value in providing such clues:

• Droppings: Droppings aid in identifying the rodent species present. Cleaning up the droppings help indicate the presence or absence of continued activity in a particular area. 
• Runways and rub marks: These are smear marks on surfaces that accumulate from continual contact with dirty, greasy rodent fur.
• Burrows: Burrows are often present adjacent to waterways and buildings. If cobwebs or weeds are seen at the entrance, it is likely that activity has ceased. 
• Gnaw marks: Rodents must gnaw to keep their incisors down. If fresh gnaw marks may be seen beside and below the chew marks, it indicates recent activity. 
• Nests: Nests may be found in hidden parts of construction. They are usually made of rags, paper, cardboard, straw, and the like, and if fresh droppings are present they are likely to be active. 
• Runs: Outdoors, constant rodent traffic may pat down vegetation to form a rather obvious run. Indoors, dust-free runs in otherwise dusty areas may indicate constant traffic. 
• Tracks: Footprints and tail marks in dust-covered floors and roof voids indicate rodent activity. 
• Urine stains: Rodent urine fluoresces when an ultraviolet light is shone into surfaces contaminated with it. Rat urine often appears like sprinkling over the surfaces it has travelled on. 
• Urinating pillars: Extended activity of mice sometimes leads to a build-up of urine, grease, dirt and dust to form small mounds or 'urinating pillars'. 
• Disappearance of foods: Rats often carry food away to their nesting sites. 
• Sounds: Occupants of buildings may draw attention to sounds heard during the evening and night. These are often described as bumping, squeaking, gnawing, crawling and sometimes fighting. 
• Odour: The extended presence of a rodent infestation usually creates a distinct odour. 
• Visual sightings: Occupants of buildings sometimes report sightings of rodents during the day. This often suggests a large population or food shortage. 
• Excitement of pets: Most pets are territorial and very sensitive to foreign odours and noises. Pets such as dogs may become excited about the intrusion of rodents, sometimes clawing and barking at the area where rodents are active. 

All of these clues gathered through inspection and perhaps during conversation with the client, will help to establish the approach to managing the rodent problem. 

Sanitation 

Decreasing the food and shelter available to a given population of rodents is likely to lead to more competition between individuals and, eventually, to a decline in the number of rodents present. 

This aspect of control involves an educational component, whereby the technician, following a thorough inspection of the premises, advises the client about hygiene and sanitation in relation to the rodent infestation.

each situation will be different, so each situation should be carefully inspected and assessed, and then sound advice will be provided. The importance of achieving and maintaining the required standard of hygiene and sanitation, in relation to the control or prevention of rodent infestation cannot be overemphasised.  

Proofing

Perhaps the most permanent method of rodent control is to make alterations to the building to prevent rodent entry. All cracks, crevices, holes and other potential access points that could allow entry of rodents should be blocked, using only sturdy and durable materials. Materials such as plastics and wood should not be used as rodents can gnaw through these. 

Trapping

Trapping can demand much time, skill and labour. There are situations where trapping is an appropriate method. Trapping can be useful:

• for rodent control in premises where inaccessible dead rodents cannot be tolerated.
• for rodent control premises where chemical pesticides are not tolerated. 
• for cleaning up remaining "bait-shy" individuals following a baiting program. 

Tracking powders and gels

Some rodenticides are available in a powder or gel formulation. When these are placed where rodents are likely to contaminate their paws and fur the rodents will later, during grooming, ingest an amount of the product. care should be taken not to use tracking powders where the product may be conveyed by the rodents to food for human consumption. 

Pre-baiting 

Rats usually use the same routes when travelling and tend to know their immediate environment well. Rats suffer from 'neophobia' that is, their behaviour shows an aversion to new objects in their environment. It may take a few days before a more suspicious rat will try a new food in a new bait station while a mouse may investigate within minutes. 

Before prepared baits are laid down, it is sometimes advisable to pre-bait. This involves laying down the attractant food with all other additives in the bait except for the poison. Once the feeding habit has been established, the bait can be altered to contain the poison.  

Baiting 

Rodent bait containing an anticoagulant ingredient will be fully contained in locked bait stations, placed strategically, and secured in places with evidence of rodent activity. 

Baits will be placed to be inaccessible to children, pets, and other non-target species. 

Diligent care will be exercised in bait preparation and setting. 

Eviktus' approach to addressing a rodent situation

1. Conduct a thorough inspection to identify the species of rodents and assess the extent of the infestation. This will inform our treatment methods. 
2. Provide an immediate report on the severity of the infestation and advise on suitable treatment options.
3. Develop a treatment strategy tailored to your unique home and situation. 
4. Implement the treatment strategy to provide you with efficient and effective relief from the rodents.
5. Deliver a comprehensive report in accordance with applicable Federal and State and Territory legislative requirements. 
6. Follow up with any recommended routine services that you may choose to receive from Eviktus.

If you have any questions or would like further information related to this content, please don't hesitate to reach out and a friendly Eviktus representative will be happy to assist you.